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VI.

1543

a rank much inferior to those who had fubjected в OOK Mexico to the Spanish crown, farther removed from the inspection of the parent ftate, and intoxicated with the fudden acquifition of wealth, carried on all their operations with greater licence and irregularity than any body of adventurers in the New World. Amidst the general fubverfion of law and order, occafioned by two fucceffive civil wars, when each individual was at liberty to decide for himself, without any guide but his own intereft or paffions, this turbulent spirit rose above all fenfe of fubordination. To men thus corrupted by anarchy, the introduction of regular government, the power of a viceroy, and the authority of a refpectable court of judicature, would of themselves have appeared formidable restraints, to which they would have fubmitted with reluctance. But they revolted with indignation against the idea of complying with laws, by which they were to be ftripped at once of all they had earned fo hardly during many years of service and fuffering. As the account of the new laws fpread fucceffively through the different fettlements, the inhabitants ran together, the women in tears, and the men exclaiming against the injustice and ingratitude. of their fovereign in depriving them, unheard and unconvicted, of their poffeffions. "Is this," cried they," the recompence due to perfons,

who,

BOOK who, without public aid, at their own expence,

VI.

1543.

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and by their own valour, have fubjected to the crown of Caftile territories of fuch immense extent and opulence? Are these the rewards bestowed for having endured unparalleled distress, for having encountered every fpecies of danger in the service of their country? Whose merit is fo great, whofe çonduct has been fo irreproachable, that he may not be condemned by fome penal clause in regulations, conceived in terms as loofe and comprehenfive, as if it had been intended that all fhould be entangled in their fnare? Every Spaniard of note in Peru has held fome public office, and all, without diftinction, have been conftrained to take an active part in the conteft between the two rival chiefs. Were the former to be robbed of their property because they had done their duty? Were the latter to be punished on account of what they could not avoid? Shall the conquerors of this great empire, instead of receiving marks of diftinction, be deprived of the natural confolation of providing for their widows and children, and leave them to depend for fubfiftence on the fcanty fupply they can extort from unfeeling courtiers"? We are not able now, continued they, to explore unknown regions in queft of

n Herrera, dec. 7. lib. vii. c. 14, 15.

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VI.

1543.

more fecure fettlements; our conftitutions debi- BOOK litated with age, and our bodies covered with wounds, are no longer fit for active service; but ftill we poffefs vigour fufficient to assert our just rights, and we will not tamely fuffer them to be wrefted from us."

An infur

rection pre

vented by

the mode

Caltro.

By difcourfes of this fort, uttered with vehe. mence, and listened to with universal approbation, their paffions were inflamed to fuch a pitch, ration of that they were prepared for the most violent measures; and began to hold confultations in different places, how they might oppose the entrance of the viceroy and judges, and prevent not only the execution but the promulgation of the new laws. From this, however, they were diverted by the address of Vaca de Castro, who flattered them with hopes, that, as foon as the viceroy and judges fhould arrive, and had leisure to examine their petitions and remona strancès, they would concur with them in endeavouring to procure fome mitigation in the rigour of laws which had been framed without due. attention either to the ftate of the country, or to the sentiments of the people. A greater degree of accommodation to these, and even fome con.

Gomara, c. 152. Herrera, dec. 4. lib. vi. c. 10, 11. Vega, p. 11. lib. iii. c. 20. 22. lib. iv. c. 3, 4. ceffions

VOL. III.

ė

VI.

1543.

of difaffec

tion increafed by

March 4.

BOOK ceffions on the part of government, were now become requifite to compofe the prefent ferment, and to foothe the colonists into fubmiffion, by inspiring them with confidence in their fuperiors. But without profound difcernment, conciliating manners, and flexibility of temper, fuch a plan The fpirit could not be carried on. The viceroy poffeffed none of these. Of all the qualities that fit men the viceroy. for high command, he was endowed only with integrity and courage; the former harsh and uncomplying, the latter bordering fo frequently on rashness or obftinacy, that in his fituation they were defects rather than virtues. From the moment that he landed at Tumbez, Nugnez Vela seems to have confidered himself merely as an executive officer, without any discretionary power; and, regardlefs of whatever he observed or heard concerning the state of the country, he adhered to the letter of the regulations with unrelenting rigour. In all the towns through which he paffed, the natives were declared to be free, every perfon in public office was deprived of his lands and fervants; and as an example of obedience to others, he would not fuffer a fingle Indian to be employed in carrying his own baggage in his march towards Lima. Amazement and confternation went before him as he approached; and fo little folicitous was he to prevent these from augmenting, that, on enter

VI.

1543.

ing the capital, he openly avowed that he came BOOK to obey the orders of his fovereign, not to dispense with his laws. This harsh declaration was accompanied with what rendered it still more intolerable, haughtiness in deportment, a tone of arrogance and decifion in difcourfe, and an infolence of office grievous to men little accustomed to hold civil authority in high respect. Every attempt to procure a fufpenfion or migitation of the new laws, the viceroy confidered as flowing from a spirit of difaffection that tended. to rebellion. Several perfons of rank were confined, and some put to death, without any form of trial. Vaca de Caftro was arrested, and notwithstanding the dignity of his former rank, and his merit, in having prevented a general infurrection in the colony, he was loaded with chains, and fhut up in the common jail".

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BUT however general the indignation was The malagainst such proceedings, it is probable the hand chufe Gonof authority would have been strong enough to fupprefs it, or to prevent it bursting out with open violence, if the malcontents had not been provided with a leader of credit and eminence to unite and to direct their efforts. From the

› Zarate, lib. iv. c. 23, 24, 25. Gomara, c. 153-155. Vega, p. 11. lib. iv. c. 4, 5. Fernandez, lib. i. c. 6—10. Q2

time

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